Friday, February 25, 2011

Bees were the first thing that came to mind when I saw this week's theme on IF....

Meet Tasha...the Queen Bee....she wasn't going anywhere from her hive...she was going to stay still forever....as her busy workers swarmed around her they kept her warm with their fluttering wings....and the scent of sweet honey made her hive even sweeter....

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A wise old owl once told me to never stop learning...and that is what I try to do each and every day...it could be something as simple as learning a new word...or something as fun as trying a new art technique...

This year I am focusing on a lot of learning....from web site design to getting into the nitty gritty of Art Licensing I will be doing a lot to grow not only as a person...but as an Illustrator and Designer....

I will keep you all posted as I learn new things and will share my experiences with you along the way....This week I am revamping my website with the design stuff I am learning and it is no easy task....in the meantime I have pointed my sites to my blog and will re-launch my site when it's all ready for public consumption...lol

Sunday, February 20, 2011

I love love love spending a full Sunday wandering through antique shops and flea markets...you never ever know what you may find...it is like a diver heading under water and finding large trunks filled with all sorts of things and sometimes you find hidden treasures.....I am a sucker for all things that are hand carved....like this cute hand carved bunny that is a box....it is so adorable and the work that went into it makes me happy....just knowing that it was hand made makes it priceless...to me!

I also collect these silly things all the time....and today I snapped up this cool set that was also hand carved....amazing!

and for some art projects I picked up this dictionary from 1940....it is amazing with the cool illustrations in it...I think it will make some really neat additions to some mixed media work....and how silly that in this day and age ....there will be no printed dictionaries....pretty crazy!!! so this is a gem!!!

oh and I fell in love with this artist from Copenhagen.....Bjorn Wiinblad....these amazing plates really inspired me today....this one above is January.....and I love it!!! I want them all....he created one for each month and I love his illustrations!!!

BjornWiinblad was born in Copenhagen September 20, 1918. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Rosenthal China of Germany and Nymolle Pottery of Denmark are among the more famous companies that commissioned him to design for them. His works can be found in museums all over Europe. He has also designed scenery for the Royal Danish Ballet and illustrated books and posters. He now resides twelve miles outside of Copenhagen in the town of Hjortekaer.

20 September 1918 - 8 June 2006
He lived a long and wonderful life...and it just goes to show you that you can enjoy a long and happy life if you do what you love....

I am very inspired by his work and by the amazing day I had with my two boys....

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I have been in the Studio working away and created some fun new wearable art pieces....using one of my favorite little owls....I created these clay pendants and added a leather necklace to them....and today I will also be hosting a giveaway for one of these cute necklaces....so all you have to do is leave a comment here and congratulate my OWOH winners....and tell me where I can find you.....I will draw for this necklace in one week...so be sure to pop back and see if you have won!!!

Drum roll please....and the winners are.....

Here are the 10 winners of my Sweet Guardian giveaway for the One World One Heart Event...thank you all for participating!!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

It is so hard to get back to the groove of things after our vacation....especially in a tropical place...but the truth is I got so much inspiration from my trip...so here is the first piece I created since I got back from paradise....A special Bird that is titled....."extend a branch"

Monday, February 14, 2011

My wonderful husband (above with our friend Sofio...whom we met on the beach....) whisked me away to a dream vacation for my Birthday and Valentine's Day....We had the greatest time celebrating and enjoying all of the amazing scenery in the Dominican Republic.....We have some amazing shells that we got from this sweet man who travels 60 km a day to walk around with a hundred pounds of shells....his brother is a scuba diver who collects and polishes these beautiful shells....he was a really sweet man and we chatted with him daily....so much inspiration on this Island...from the beautiful people, scenery and history....there is plenty to make you get all the inspiration you need to start a whole series of pieces.....as an artist and illustrator....

My brother and my sister-in-law joined us and we laughed and shared some amazing times!!!!

the greatest company to have on any vacation....what a wonderful time !!!!

below is my favorite Mexican inspired restaurant....I had some tasty treats at this place....

This island is filled with inspiration where ever you look....even in our room...our sweet Maid Ester left us some flowers and sweets almost every day........

not sure if any of you are fans of Passion Fruit....but I am!!! and I think I ate all of the fruit off the Island daily....this was one of my midnight snacks....the Passion Fruit in the Dominican was heavenly perfection....I so miss this.....

This fan palm is one of my favorite trees there....I am in awe every time I see one....so beautiful!!!!

and the local art really inspired me.....aren't these pieces fun with the colours and the styles....just perfect in every way.....

and you all know me...and food inspiration....I really enjoyed all this place had to offer with the culinary treats....very great food indeed.....

my favorite breakfasts by the beach every morning.....we would sip our lattes and enjoy these tasty treats ....I guess eating breakfast by the beach makes it even more yummy!!!!

and the flora and fauna.....I could barely blink in the event I would miss something totally spectacular....what a wonderful way to celebrate a Birthday and love......

Awwwww.....nice to share these with you all.....I feel very blessed to have had this amazing experience......

Not too happy to be back and away from the salty sea air....but I am so looking forward to seeing what you all have been up to!!!

Family and amazing friends mean the world to me...and to be able to share my Birthday with my amazing family and friends is all I ever need to fill my heart.... January 31st was my Birthday!!! and I have been celebrating all weekend and week long....little outings with friends, the loves of my life and my amazing family....and memories....

Speaking of fun memories....like my Birthday cake my Mom and Dad picked up for our special Birthday dinner Sunday....This cake is my favorite cake in the world...just the smell of it takes me back to so many of my Birthdays growing up....and to think that the same Baker at the same Bakery has been creating these for my Birthdays year after year.....really blows my mind....

Today is a milestone Birthday and I feel very blessed to have family and friends in my life that really make my life full....

I also feel very blessed to have met so many amazing blog friends...and I share my cake with all of you today also....

Thank you all for being so sweet....

I am also participating in the OWOH FIFTH and FINAL One World One Heart Event...to help celebrate my Birthday and the last OWOH event I will be giving away several prints of my Sweet Guardians....all you have to do is leave me a comment here with a way to get a hold of you.....

You will be able to pick a special Guardian that will be shipped to you so you can frame her and enjoy her....

For those of you that are new to my blog....my name is Diana Evans and I am a full time Illustrator and Designer....I am published in the Children's Market and love to create art each and every day....I love in Ontario, Canada and learned about art from an early age from my Dad....I followed him around as he created amazing paintings and metal sculptures....Illustrating and painting full time has been a dream of mine all my life...and finally one day about 5 years ago I had an opportunity to follow my dreams and create each and every day.....I hope to meet many new blog friends through this wonderful event.....

I host all sorts of fun things on my blog...from daily art to free downloads you can print and create with....so come follow me on my journey!!!! I also run a few fun shops online....my main Etsy Shop....my Custom work shop and my original art stamp shop....

I will be drawing for a bunch of these prints...they are 4inches x 6 inches and fit in standard frames...and I may also include some fun stamp giveaways from my stamp shop....and perhaps even a special custom piece from my Custom Stuff Etsy Shop........so be sure to say hello!!! and let me know how to reach you!!!!

Winners will be announced Feb. 17th and I will email the winners as well as post it on my blog....so be sure to pop back!!!!

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If there would be one piece of advice I would give to anyone starting
out...it would be to always stay true to you and your craft. We all have
our favorite Illustrators and Artists out there, never try to mimic
them. Use them for inspiration. You will be successful if you stay true
to your own style and your work....and practice, practice
...practice...you should be an every changing and evolving Artist.....
I am a full time Artist,Illustrator, Author and Designer...and I feel
that drawing takes me to all kinds of wonderful places....so grab a seat
and come join me on my journey....